Wesley Earl Thornberry, 85, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Born on December 16, 1940, in Powell, Wyoming, to Earl and Cora Thornberry, Wes grew up with a love for the outdoors that remained with him throughout his life. Whether hiking mountain trails or paddling a canoe on quiet waters, he found joy and peace in nature.
A gifted athlete, Wes excelled in several sports, with football becoming his greatest passion—a sport he continued to play into his college years. He also participated in school plays, began playing the trumpet in the sixth grade, and developed a lifelong love of singing, especially in church choirs. Whether on the athletic field, the stage, or in music, Wes embraced life with enthusiasm and wholehearted participation.
Wes graduated from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1965 and spent the next 25 years in the Washington, D.C., area building a successful career in advertising. He was a partner and president of The Richard Leahy Corporation, where he earned the respect of colleagues through his leadership, creativity, and integrity. Taking an early retirement, Wes moved to Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley in 1990. After years of volunteering and serving in many areas of his church, he felt called to enter full-time ministry. From 1999 to 2010, he served as pastor of Weyers Cave United Methodist Church in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Those years were among the most meaningful of his life, as he devoted himself to caring for others, sharing God’s love, and walking alongside members of his congregation through life’s joys and challenges.
Retirement allowed Wes to focus on what mattered most to him: faith, family, and creating lasting memories. He treasured every opportunity to visit his children and grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was hosting “Grandparents Camp” each summer, where laughter, adventures, and special traditions created memories his grandchildren cherish to this day. As the grandchildren grew older and camp came to an end, Wes embraced a new tradition—making trips back to his beloved Wyoming with his son, Ty. Together they revisited favorite places, relived treasured memories, and celebrated the landscapes that had shaped Wes from childhood. In 2022, he moved to North Carolina to be near his daughter, Taunya, and her family, while continuing to cherish visits with Ty and his family in Colorado.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents, Earl (1947) and Cora (2011) Thornberry.
He is lovingly remembered by his son, Ty Thornberry (Melinda) of Colorado; his daughter, Taunya Dahlberg (Jon) of North Carolina; his grandchildren, Emma, Sarah, Ian, and Jacob (Serene); his brother, Ken Thornberry (Nancy); as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Wes will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his gentle spirit, his love of the outdoors, and the kindness and wisdom he shared with everyone he met. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a laugh that was impossible to forget, and a gift for storytelling that could bring people together and make any moment more memorable. Whether leading in the boardroom, serving from the pulpit, or sitting around a campfire with his grandchildren, he lived a life rooted in purpose, compassion, and love. He leaves a legacy of faith, service, family, and joy that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Though life’s journey took Wes from the mountains of Wyoming to Washington, D.C., the churches of Virginia, and finally to North Carolina, Wyoming always remained home in his heart.
A private family gathering will be held to celebrate Wesley’s life in his home state of Wyoming. Per Wes’s request, his ashes will return to Wyoming, where they will be scattered by his family in some of the places he loved most.
(Source: https://www.blakelyfuneralservice.com/obituary/Wesley-Thornberry)